Washing and drying apparatus



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WASHING AND DBYING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4llllllllllllllllllllllllllll i Patented oct. 2o, 193e.

WASHING AND DRYING APPARATUS Edward L. Moreland, Wellesley, Mass., RalphD.

Application August l5, 1.934, Serial No. 740,026

8 Claims. (Cl. 34-48) n UNITED STATES PATENTf-orrlcs In the rotarymethod of printing textiles or other goods, a backing blanket for thegoods to be printed is fed continuously over the surface of a roll oftheprinting machine to serve as a backing for the goods to be printed andfor removing excess color. lAiter leaving the printing machine thatportion of the blanket is washed to remove the color and is dried beforebeing returned to the printing machine. Heretofore, considerable troublehas been experienced due to insufficient elasticity of the blanketcausing imperfect register of the component parts of the printed design,also, because of inadequate absorbing and/or adsorbing power of theblanket causing smearing of the back and edges and leaving the printedmaterial with excess color. Also, the blanket has been short lived andits maintenance cost has been high due to methods used after washing todry the particular blanket.

zo It is an object of the present invention to provide a moresatisfactory blanket for use with a rotary textile printing machine.

Another object of the invention isthe provision of a method of andapparatus for drying which is suitable for use in drying a blanket usedin rotary printing of textile goods.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: in which,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a rotary textile printing assemblyembodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of one endof achamber of a drying unit;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the other end ofthe drying chamber;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig.l 5 is a sectional view taken upon the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an elevational View, partly in section,

of another portion of the drying unit;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the portion of thedrying unit shown in Fig. 6

and as viewed from the right of Fig. 6;

46 Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of another unit for removingliquid from the blanket after washing;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken upon the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;and l Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken upon the line IIl--I of Fig. 9.

Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its'application` to thedetails of construction and'arrangement of parts illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Alsoit is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose 5 of description and not of limitation, and itis not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond therequirements of the prior'art.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as applied toan assembly for the 10 rotary printing ofvtextile or other goods andcomprises, as shown in- Fig. l, a rotary printing machine III, a washingapparatus II carried by a suitable frame structure I2 and a drying unithaving a chamber I5 carried by. a suitable frame 15 structure I6depending from a ceiling or floor Il above the printing machine I0. Ifdesired, a cooling chamber I8 may also be carried by the frame structureI6, together with'cooling chisels I9 and 20. 20

An endless blanket B is trained around a roll 2I mounted upon a shaft 22which is mounted for rotation in the -frame of the machine I0 and istrained over rolls 23, 24 and 25 carried by the frame structure I6 to aroll 26 carried upon a 25 shaft 21 which is mounted for rotation in theframe of the washing machine II. The blanket then passes between therolls of a wrlnger 30 and past an air chisel 3l and is trained. throughthe drying chamber I5 by rolls 32 and 33 and a 30 cooling drum 34. Theblanket is then trained through the cooling chamber I8 by a cooling drum35 and then passes the cooling chisel 20 to the drum 2l of the printingmachine.

A roll of textile or other goods T is mounted 35 upon a suitablerotatable carrier 36 mounted upon a frame structure 31. The sheet oftextile material T is trained around rolls 38 carried by the framestructure 31 and is passed around the roll 2l of the printing machinesimultaneously 40 with the blanket B and is then led through a passage39 in the oor I'l for further treatment.

The washing apparatus II mai. be of any usual construction and maycomprise an open vessel 4d carried by the frame structure I2. The roll2B is 45 carried by a shaft 2l which is rotatably mounted in the vessel40. A plurality of brushes 4I carried by shafts 42 are also rotatablymounted within the vessel 40 adjacent the surface of the roll 26.

A conduit 43 for supplying color solvent extends 50 into the vessel 40and is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles 44 adapted to -directthe color solvent upon the surface of the blanket B as it passes aroundthe roll 26. The conduit 43 is provided with a brancl1'45 having a spraynozzle 46 65 travel ofthe blanket through the washing ap' adapted todirect color solvent upon the blanket above the washing apparatus and'previous to the paratus.

'I'he wringer 30 may also be of any usual cony struction and maycomprise a frame 41- in which are rotatably provided with a sprocketwheel 49 carried by the shaft 21. The shaft 21 is also provided with asprocket wheel 52 which is connected by a chain 53fwith a sprocket wheel59 carried by a shaft 55 which is mounted for rotation in suitablebearingscarried by the frame structure I6. 'I'he shaft 55 is alsoprovided with a sprocket wheel 56 which is connected by a chain 51 to asprocket wheel 58 carried by a shaft 59, which is rotatably mounted insuitable bearings carried by the frame structure i6. 'Ihe shaft 59 isprovided with a sprocket wheel 60 which is connected by a chain 6| to asprocket wheel 62 upon the shaft 22. The shaft 22 is also provided witha sprocket wheel 63 which is comiected to any suitable source of powerby a chain 59.

The air chisel 3| is positioned adjacent the path of travelfof theblanket B as the latter leaves the wringer 30 and comprises `a closedchamber 65 having an opening 66 in its front wall which extendssubstantially across the width of the blanket B. A guide 88 isadjustably mounted upon opposite ends of the front wall of the chamber65 by bolts 89 passing through elongated slots 90 in the guides andengaging the wall of the chamber'95. The guides 88 serve to guide theblanket past the opening 66 in the chamber 65. The chamber 65 isconnected by a conduit 611'to a suction fan-61a of any suitable typeadapted to gxhaust the entrapped air from within the vessel A plenumtube is yadjustably mounted within the chamber 65 and comprises asubstantially semi-cylindrical body portion 69 closed at its ends by endwalls 69 and provided with a cover portion '10 which is secured at oneside to the portion '69 by screws 1| so as to provide an orifice 12between it and the other side of the body portion 66. The size of theorifice 12 may be adjusted by bolts 13 extending through the coverportion 10 and the body portion 68. Each of the end walls 69 is.provided with an arcuate `slot 1t adapted to be engaged by a similarlyshaped ang'e 15 on a plate |6 whichis secured to the wallof the chamber65 by bolts 11. A pin 18 is ixed in each of the end walls 69 and extendsthrough an arcuate slot 19 in the end wall of the .chamber 65. VA plate80 is fixed upon each of the pins 1.0 and covers or seals the slot 19 inthe end wall of the chamber 65. The outer end of each of the pins 16 isprovided with a threaded portion 8| adapted `to receive a nut 82 forsecuring the plenum tubein its adjusted position. A gas, such inconstruction to the air the chamber in which the tioned is not closed.

The drying apparatus comprises a casing prochisel v3| except that plenumtube is posividing a chamber l which, as illustrated, is ofsubstantially U-shape. The'casing providing the which is con-v nected bya chain 50 to a sprocket wheel 5|,

A washing apparatus il I land is provided with a liquid seal or trap 87.The cooling chisels |9 and 20 may be identical acm-coc cylindrical panel96. A closure member 91, spaced from the panel 96, connects the innerpanels 96 and- 95, the roll 33 being positioned between the closuremember 91 and the panel 96 andserves to convey the blanket B from thelower to the upper portion ofthe chamber 9|.

.chamber l5 are closed by panels 92a connecting the adjacent side'edgesof the panels 92 and 99 and by panels 93a' connecting the adjacent vsideedges of the panels 93 and 95. 'I'he portion of the chamber I5 betweenthe panel 96 and the closure member 91 is closed at its sides by panels96a.

The sides of the Casings |06 and |01 having inlet and outlet openings|06 and |09 respectively are connected to the open ends of the casingforming the chamber i5. The casings |06 and |01 are provided with slots||0 and respectively for the passage of the blanket B. A plurality ofpegs 98 are xed in the outer panels 92 and 93 so as to project into thechamber l5. Each of the pegs 98 is provided with an enlarged head 99spaced from the inner panels 96 and 95. The inner panel 95 is providedwith thick longitudinal edge portions |00 and Mil and a thick backportion4 |03 which provides a depression |06. Spaced longitudinallyextending strips |05 are fixed to the panel 95 in the depression |09 andextend from -the portion |03 substantially coextensive with the portions|09V and |0| and rality of pockets |04@ the outlet passage.

A conduit 2 connects the inlet passage |09 and a chamber H5 which ispositioned within a chamber H6. A heating coil ||1 is positioned withinthe chamber ||5 and is supplied from any suitable source with a heatingmedium, such as steam. The chamber ||5 is connected by a conwhichcommunicate with divide the depression |04 into a pluand the chamber ||6is coliiected by a conduit |20' to the intake of the pump. ||9. Aconduit H3 connects the chamber H6 with the outlet passage |09. The iowofgases through the chambers I5, ||5 and 6 is controlled by anadjustable damper |25 positioned in the chamber ||6 and adjustabledampers |22 and |24 controlling an opening |23 in the outer wall of thechamber 6 and an opening |23a in the cond-uit H2 respectively.

In the operation of the apparatus, power is supplied through the chain64 to rotate the drum 2| of the printing machine and the drum 26 of thewashing apparatus and at the same time cause the endless blanket Bthrough the printing machine I0, the washing 'machine the wringers.30and past the air chisel 3| and thence through the drying chamber I5 andthen through the cooling unit 8 and back to the printing machine. Duringthis travel of the blanket, the sheet of textile material to-be printedis drawn through the'printing mato move progressively chine and thedesign printed thereon. Any exy cess color passing through or over theedges of the textile goods is absorbed and adsorbedby the lthe washingapparatus il and is subjected to the action of further color solventsupplied by the sprays 99 and also to the scrubbing action of Athebrushes 62.

The wet blanket then travels through the wringer 30 where a portion ofthe color solvent is removed by squeezing. This portion of the blanketthen travels along the front wall of the chamber 65 past the opening 66therein and is subjected to the action of a narrow stream of gas, suchas air, travelling at high velocity which is ejected through the orifice12. This high velocity stream of gas tends to cut the color solvent 01Tthe blanket.

Thevblanket B isv then conveyed through the chamber |5, past the coolingchisel I9 and over the cooling can 34 and through the cooling chamber i8and over the cooling can 35 past the cooling chisel 20 to the printingmachine. As the blanket passes through the chamber I5, air is caused tobe circulated by the pump ||9 through the chambers I5, ||5 and IIS. Thedampers |22 and |26, controlling the air inlet passages |23 and |23a,and the damper |25 are adjusted so that during the circulation of theair from the pump H9 a certain quantity of the solvent saturated air isremoved from the circuit and replaced by fresh air. l

As the air is thus circulated through the chamber I5 the air stream isbroken up by the pegs 98 thus causing the major portion of the air tocontact with the blanket B.' It has been found in practice that theprovision of the pegs 98 in the path of the air stream instead of thecustomary bales, not only produces a more eflicient `drying but reducesthe time of drying, the required size of the drying unit and the powerrequired to circulate the air.

Inasmuch as the pressure of the air stream flowing through the chamber|5 is greater at the inlet than at the outlet and inasmuch as thepockets "14a are directly connected to the outlet passage ||2, t epressure upon the side of the blanket adja ent the pockets is less thanthat upon the other side of the blanket. This difference of pressuretends to maintain the blanket out of engagement with the pegs 98 duringthe travel of the blanket through the chamber 9|.

While the blanket B may be constructed of any material common for thispurpose, it is preferable to employ an endless blanket formed fromfelted fibres or other material whichiis uniformly impregnated with amoisture resisting substance, such as a compound or emulsion containingvulcanized rubber. Such a blanket has the necessary adsorptivecharacteristics required and has been found to possess the desireddegree of resiliency so that the proper register of the parts of theprinted design is secured. If it is desired` that the blanket shallpossess absorptive characteristics, itssiirface may be treated so thatsome of the fibres Iare exposed. Y

We claim: l Y 1. In an apparatus for printing textiles having a rotaryprinting machine, an endless blanket,

thereof, and means for forcing a gas through said chamber and aroundsaid pegs on one side of said blanket.

- 2. In an apparatus for printing textiles hav-'- ing a rotary printingmachine, an endless blanket, means for washing and drying the blanketand means for guiding the blanket through the printing machine andWashing and drying means,

characterized by drying means including a chamber having an air inletand outlet, said chamber having pegs projecting therein from one sidethereof, and means for forcing a gas through said chamber on the otherside of said blanket whereby the pressurev Within said chamber graduallydecreases from said inlet to said outlet, said chamber having meansadapted to cooperate with said blanket to provide pockets on the wallopposite said pegs communicating .with said outlet whereby a differentpressure is maintained on opposite sides of said blanket tending to holdthe same away from said pegs.

3. In an apparatus for removing liquid from a material, a chamber, a.plurality of pegs projecting into said'chamber from one wall thereof andeach terminating at a point spaced from said material, means for guidingthe material through A the chamber in one direction adjacent said pegs,and means for causing air to move through the chamber in the oppositedirection around said pegs and in contact with said material.

4.In an apparatus for removing liquid from a material, a chamber, aplurality of pegs projecting into said chamber from one wall thereof andhaving enlarged portions spaced from the opposite wall of the chamber,means for guiding the material through the chamber adjacent said pegs,and means for causing air to move through the chamber in the oppositedirection around said pegs and in contact with said material.

5. In an apparatus for removing liquid from sheet material, a chamberhaving an air inlet and an air outlet, a plurality of pegs projectinginto said chamber from one wall thereof, means for guiding the sheetmaterial through the chamber between said pegs and the opposite wall ofsaid chamber, and means for causing air'to flow from said inlet aroundsaid pegs and in contact with Y one side of said material to said outletat a gradually decreasing pressure, said chamber having means adapted'tocooperate with said material to provide pockets on said opposite wallcommunicating with said outlet whereby a different pressure ismaintained on opposite sides of said material tending to holdsaidmaterial away from said Pegs.

6. In an apparatus for removing liquid from sheet material, a chamberhaving an air inlet and an air'outlet, means for guiding the sheetmaterial through lthe chamber, and means for.

causing air to ow from said inlet in contact with one side of saidmaterial vto said outlet at a gradually decreasing pressure, saidchamber having means adapted to cooperate with said material to providepockets on the wall -adjacent the other side of the ,materialcommunicating with said outlet andclosed to said inlet whereby adifferent pressure is maintained on opposite sides of said material.

'7. In an apparatus for printing textiles having a rotary printingmachine, an endless blanket,

means for washing and drying the blanket, and meansfor guiding theblanket through the print- -ing machine and washing and drying means,Acharacterized by drying meansincluding a 'chamber having an air inletand outlet and means for forcing a gas into said chamber through saidinlet and withdrawing the same through said outlet, whereby the pressurewithin said chamber gradually decreases from said inlet to said outlet,said chamber having means adapted to cooperate with said blanket toprovide pockets on one wall thereof communicating with said outlet andclosed to said inlet, whereby a different pressure wall past saidopening, a high pressure gas nozzle Y within said chamber having anorice for projecting through said opening upon said material a thin highvelocity stream of gas extending conn tinuously across said material,said nozzle having means for adjusting the thickness of said stream,means for creating a-reduced pressure within said chamber tending tocause said sheet material to seal said opening and to exhaust air fromsaid chamber, and means foradjusting said `nozzle to change the angle ofsaid stream of gas relative to the plane of said material whilemaintaining said orice in a substantially fixed position relative tosaid opening.

EDWARD L. MORELAND. RALPH D. BooTH. CHARLES H. DANFOR'IH

